Senior Official Calls for Unambiguous Condemnation Amid Renewed Attacks
In a firm stance following a surge of militant attacks in Balochistan, senior Pakistani lawmakers have unequivocally rejected any possibility of negotiations with terrorist groups. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, addressing the Senate, declared that terrorism in the province must be condemned without reservation and is not a consequence of socio-economic deprivation or rights-based grievances.
“No Ifs or Buts”: A Hardline Stance on Terrorism
“Terrorists must be called terrorists without any ‘ifs or buts’,” Sanaullah stated during the parliamentary session. He directly challenged narratives that link the ongoing violence to resentment or lack of development in Balochistan, asserting there is no widespread sense of discontent fueling the militancy.
The adviser also pushed back against perceptions of weak state authority in the region. He argued that criminal activities, orchestrated by small, coordinated groups, can occur anywhere, including in relatively secure areas. Sanaullah described a pattern of violence where armed groups stop public transport, force passengers off buses, and carry out executions.
Government Cites Brutal Attacks to Justify Stance
To illustrate the nature of the violence, Sanaullah referenced specific incidents, such as attacks on the Jaffar Express. “They kill people from other provinces in front of their families and then go into hiding,” he said. “What kind of grievance is this, that you murder innocent people?” This rhetoric underscores the government’s position that the acts are purely criminal and lack a legitimate political cause.
The government’s statement signals a continued and potentially intensified security-focused approach to the insurgency in Balochistan, ruling out political dialogue with the groups it labels as terrorists. This development comes amidst ongoing military operations in the province, which officials report have neutralized scores of militants in recent days.
